The Board found that the Veteran's anxiety reaction did not result in a substantially impaired ability to establish or maintain effective relationships, and psychoneurotic symptoms did not manifest as severe industrial impairment due to reduced reliability, flexibility, and efficiency levels at the time of the February 12, 1965 rating decision.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the Veteran's anxiety reaction was related to his educational deficits, difficulty adjusting to shipboard life, and financial strain placed on him by his family. The Board determined that the preponderance of the evidence did not support a higher disability rating based on the criteria in effect at the time.
- Claimed conditions
- Anxiety Reaction
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- April 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20028163
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 20028163.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for PTSD is dismissed as a free-standing claim.,The appeal seeking to revise or reverse the November 4, 2009 rating decision that denied service connection for depression and anxiety reaction is remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for PTSD, generalized anxiety disorder, and anxiety reaction based on the evidence of record at that time. The decision was not overturned due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE).
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety reaction is rated at 70 percent effective December 11, 2008. The rating was granted as the evidence demonstrated that his condition resulted in suicidal tendencies and occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.
- Granted
The Veteran's anxiety reaction is rated at 50 percent since September 23, 2005 and remains at that level. The appeal for a higher rating from October 14, 2008 to the present has been denied.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.